Category: Uncategorized
-
Walking the Path of Advocacy: The Power of “We”
I sat at a table in a dressy black dress, the kind you wear when the evening calls for something more formal. We had just finished a meal, and the room had settled into that familiar quiet that follows shared conversation. Then…
No comments on Walking the Path of Advocacy: The Power of “We” -
Making Participation the Rule
Inclusion begins with design. It grows from choices that shape systems, define spaces, and determine whose experiences are valued. Advocacy is the practice of noticing where exclusion exists and taking deliberate action to replace it with equity and access. Equity means structuring…
-
Oversight and the Future of IDEA Implementation
The federal government’s decision to dismiss nearly all staff responsible for administering the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is more than an internal adjustment; it represents a significant change in how educational equity is upheld. For nearly fifty years, IDEA has…
-
Finding a Way: Reflections on Advocacy
Some moments don’t just change how you see your work; they change why it matters. Friday, October 17, 2025, was one of those moments. What began as a routine virtual meeting turned into something far more meaningful: a moment of recognition that…
-
When Oversight Fades: What the OSEP Layoffs Mean for Students with Disabilities
The news came quietly but carries far-reaching consequences. Late last week, nearly all senior staff members of the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) within the U.S. Department of Education were notified that their positions were being eliminated. Only two remain in…
-
Where Does True Inclusion Begin?
Every October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) arrives with good intentions and familiar messages. Posters appear, speeches are given, and organizations remind their teams that inclusion matters. When November comes, attention often shifts elsewhere, and the focus on accessibility and inclusion…
-
Why Disability Awareness Matters
In recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) Disability has three dimensions: impairment, activity limitation, and participation restrictions. Disability is one of the most common and least acknowledged aspects of life. How people respond to it reflects their values and approach…
-
Honoring Service Through Inclusion: Veterans with Disabilities and NDEAM
Each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) shines a spotlight on the talents and contributions of workers with disabilities, including millions of veterans whose service has left a lasting mark. Their experiences remind us that honoring service also means supporting inclusion,…
-
Government Shutdowns and Disability Services: Preparing for Gaps, Protecting Access
On October 1, 2025, the federal government entered a shutdown after Congress failed to agree on a spending bill to fund operations for the new fiscal year. The funding lapse stems from unresolved differences between Democrats and Republicans over how federal money…
-
Outside the Count
Patterns form quietly. Expectation settles in, and order begins to take shape. What first seems neutral — steady, reliable —gradually gathers influence. Each repetition decides what belongs and what is left aside. Outside the Count follows these patterns and lingers with what…